By Michael McMullan

DOWN hurlers don’t have much time to lick their wounds after shipping five second half goals in defeat to Carlow on Saturday as the Joe McDonagh Cup swung into action.

They’ll host Laois on Saturday afternoon in Ballycran (1.30pm) hoping to pull their championship ambitions back on track.

Ronan Sheehan’s side went into the competition opener on the back of promotion to Division One hurling next season and a league final win over Kildare.

The first of three Chris Nolan’s goals had Carlow 1-11 to 0-10 ahead at half time but Down were denied a goal at the other end when Tim Prenter looked on as ‘keeper Brian Tracey got a boot to his shot.

This week will be about picking through Carlow’s goals and trying to tighten up their defensive collective with a Laois team who also know where the posts are. They hit 3-25 in victory at home to Westmeath and will carry another threat Down must meet head on.

Since the days of battling from Division 2B, Down have made serious progression but this will hand them a test of both hurling and resolve.

They’ve hurled brilliantly all season, are in top shape physically and are a tight unit. They’ll need all three elements this weekend.

Tom McGrattan has been their key scorer, with Pearse Óg McCrickard chipping in with four points last weekend.

If they can get Tim Prenter, Daithi and Eoghan Sands to feed into their attacking game, it will give them a platform to attack the game.

In Stephen Keith, they’ve an excellent ‘keeper. Tried and tested. He’ll no doubt be focussed on another stellar performance between the posts.

Laois and Carlow were the teams that finished above Down in last season’s Division 2A.

With Carlow finishing top, Laois beat third placed Down in the semi-final having already beaten them in the league.

Tomas Keyes, Ben Conroy, Paddy Purcell and Jer Quinlan contributed 2-18 of the Laois tally from last weekend. All four will feature prominently in Down’s thoughts this week.

Laois have been knocking around Division One for the best part of the last decade. That’s the level Down are aiming for when the ball is thrown in next season.

Saturday is a chance to test that water, but, more importantly, it’s all about getting their 2025 back on track. They’ll want to make their home comforts count. An important game.